Archive footage from Potemkin (1925), with English dialogue dubbed in by American actors, is combined with new footage to tie together the brave stand of Odessa Russian guerrilla bands of the 1940's against German forces with the similar situation of 1905 when Odessa citizens aided in the revolt against the Czar as depicted in Eisenstein's classic Potemkin (1925).

A poor but honest fisherman Pepo opposes a cunning trader Zimzimov, who tries to rob him by trickery refusing to pay a lost bill. Pepo choses prison to paying-off his honour.

The film is set in France during World War I. Bachelet's father and son are members of the French army . After the death of Bachelet Jr., he is called a national hero, actively using the fact of his death in the election campaign to fight communism. At the time of the opening of the monument in his honor, the hero himself appears, having returned to his homeland. It turns out that Bashlet Jr. was actually only shell-shocked, not killed. He uses the current situation to call on the audience to stop the imperialist war. This is followed by his arrest and charges of imposture.

A dramatized account of a great Russian naval mutiny and a resultant public demonstration, showing support, which brought on a police massacre. The film had an incredible impact on the development of cinema and is a masterful example of montage editing.